KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI continued its ascent into midday as the recent bargain-hunting in global markets lifted investor sentiment.

       At 12.30pm, the key index was up 12.3 points to 1,563.81.

       Market breadth was positive with 492 gainers compared to 347 decliners.

       Press Metal continued its rally on elevated aluminium prices, gaining 11 sen to RM6.60 while Petronas counters also jumped on rising Brent crude prices.

       Petronas Chemicals grew three sen to RM9.11, Petronas Gas jumped 24 sen ot RM17.34 and Petronas Dagangan climbed 24 sen to RM20.50.

       Financial stocks also extended gains. Maybank added three sne to RM8.53, Public Bank climbed four sen to RM4.34, CIMB jumped five sen to RM5.45 and Hong Leong Bank rose four sen to RM20.

       Plantation plays meanwhile shot higher with Sime Darby Plantation rising 14 sen to RM3.80, IOI gaining 15 sen to RM4 and Kuala Lumpur Kepong adding 54 sen to RM22.60.

       In the technology sector, stocks picked up on the Nasdaq's strong overnight rally.

       MPI gained 38 sen to RM39.80, UWC rose 30 sen to RM5.05 and KESM climbed 38 sen to RM11.36

       Among top actives, MMAG was unchanged at eight sen, SMTrack rose 0.5 sen to 19 sen and DNeX gained one sen to RM1.03.

       Meanwhile, Asian markets managed to stay slightly afloat ahead of US economic data scheduled for release later tonight.

       Japan's Nikkei rose 0.3%, South Korea's Kospi was up 0.1% while China's main index dropped 0.1%.

       Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.5% following the previous session's strong rebound.

       In Australia, the ASX200 added 0.3%.